Joy--The floors in the picture are about 5 years old. The new floors will be lighter at first, but will reach that same color in probably only a few months. We shouldn't have a problem feathering in the new wood and creating a new transition. Ptamom--thanks for the compliment on the cabinets. And I know exactly what you're saying about stuff shattering on tile. That's definitely a drawback. We haven't chosen a backsplash yet, but would gravitate toward lighter if we choose the wood floor. ca_mom--the cabs aren't Brazilian cherry and the floors are at their aged color, so unfortunately that's how they will look together 5 years from now. But, yes, the wood is a bit cheaper and the installation is a lot cheaper than tile. That's a bonus! Chinchette--Thanks for the alternate view. It's such a nice space (love your ceramic gecko!), and it's nice to see how well it works with the wood and tile right next to each other. I was speaking to the associate at the tile store yesterday and she too said to NOT put any type of threshold/transition strip between the two. Now that I see yours, it makes sense!

No worries about our conversation yesterday. You had to feel very torn apart dealing with me, the salesperson and your husband all at the same time-lol.. My hint on narrowing down swatches that I think helps is to take two of them. And between those 2, decide which one you like the best. Once you decide on that, discard the one you don't like. Put another swatch with the one you like and discard the one you like the least. Keep doing this until you get through the swatches. If possible, I hope you will have the opportunity to look at them also at night. Other thing is what are these swatches for? Both window and fireplace chairs? And if you like the blue, don't be concerned that you have it in another room. It's in another room and personally I like to take one color, if not more, and use it in each room to tie them together- even if it is a different shade of that color or even if it is in an accessory. And even if you are anxious to get this done, don't settle if you aren't feeling any of the samples. If you love the sofa fabric, you can always get that ordered as the fabric is neutral enough and then you can look at more fabric samples or go shop other stores for the chairs. Shopping for the chairs you can always do on your own and when you have it narrowed down, then drag hubby to the store. In my livingroom, not one piece is the same brand. The kitchen I was talking about is another Houzzer kitchen I'm helping with in a new house. Though I am putting the plans together for a huge remodel and additions to my house. Though at the snail pace I'm going it may be another yr before the work begins. I'm not very motivated as the job is going to take about 8-12 months and I will have to move out. The house is 19 yrs old and I knew when I bought it 3 yrs ago that it had very good bones but would need help to realize it's full potential and beauty. And that it needed more than lipstick..

groveraxle Thanks a lot!! You are so skilled with editing! I think you should get paid by houzz since you're giving an awesome contribution to design dilemma discussions. :) Although I like how the 2nd and 3rd look, I think I'll go with the first option - for the convenience - it's easier to open/close that doors and in summer I can leave them opened and turn over curtains to have protection while opened. I think I'll try to extend it out of frame despite that nasty beam...funny thing, a year ago I would put curtains as low as I can because I haven't know better, and now when I do know, I can't, lol :)

We have a bonus room over our garage and want to start using it. It's quickly becoming a crap trap! LOL We want this space to be multipurpose (media/game/guest room). A place for my older teens (19 and 16) to hang out in and a place for out of town guests to crash. It's a blank canvass. We have an idea of what we want to put in the room, just don't know how we should lay it all out. We have a queen-sized bed but would prefer a murphy bed, A 50" tv already installed on a wall. I'm open to moving it, DH on the other hand probably isn't. We also have a large projection screen and projector. And a foosball table.We will want some type of couch and a small table with chairs for board games. One of the twin mattress I am going to turn into a rolling ottoman. It can be used for lounging, as a coffee table with trays or just a bed to crash on. Our room has 6 small windows and one larger window 3x6 for natural light. I also need suggestions for paint color. I'm not sure if I want to keep it light and bright for our guests or go darker for a more media/game room effect. Any help would be greatly appreciated.